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Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Oklahoma Council of the Blind is having their annual convention September 20 through 22 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel on 2101 S. Meridian in Oklahoma City, 405-685-4000.Come and get in on the great DEAL! What is the DEAL, you ask? For starters, hotel rates are only $81 per room plus tax whether you have one or four occupants.Registration is only $80! And the greatest DEAL of all, there are going to be some great speakers and entertainment! Can you guess what DEAL stands for?D - Development! E - Empowerment!A - Advocacy!L - leadership!So many great deals the whole weekend so keep your eyes and ears opened for more details to come!Convention chair, Julie Brantley

Just wanted to thank the people who came out today and helped TCB with their 8th annual Bowl-a-thon! We had 14 bowlers and probably estimated to raise about $500. This is about half of what we've done in the past but any little helps. TCB is what we make it and it is what helps to make OCB. Thanks again for being a part of the greatest organization ever! ... David and Jeri

MAKE A CALL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE--JUNE 27!!!National Call-In Day for the Anne Sullivan Macy Act!For further information, contact:

Mark Richert, Esq.Director, Public Policy, AFB(202) 469-6833Email: MRichert@afb.netThe AFB Public Policy Center has been busy developing an array of tips and tools to help you advocate for the Macy Act! Visit our updated webpage (www.afb.org/MacyAct) for the call-in numbers, a list of supporting organizations, and even details about tweeting your senators and representatives! Additionally, we have a short, easy-to-share YouTube video which explains the Macy Act and the Expanded Core Curriculum (http://youtu.be/Dk0usg5RtAo). We're also blogging about the Macy Act on the AFB site (http://www.afb.org/blog.aspx?BlogID=7) and on Family Connect(http://www.familyconnect.org/blog.asp?BlogID=1).Please make use of these tools and keep us posted about your efforts to build momentum for the Call-In Day on June 27th (just two weeks away!) Help us tell Congress to get moving on making America's special education system more accountable for meeting the unique learning needs of students who are blind or visually impaired.To learn more about how you can help and how to best coordinate your national, regional, or local group with the National Macy Act Call-In Day, Please contact Rebecca Sheffield, Public Policy Intern, AFB at (202) 469-6838 or at RSheffield@afb.netFor the Call-in Day, please take advantage of these two numbers, which will connect you quickly to your legislators:*U.S. House of Representatives: 1-855-882-MACY (6229)*U.S. Senate: 1-877-959-MACY (6229)Once you enter your zip code and get connected to your U.S. House of Representatives member or to each of your two U.S. Senators, identify yourself and let them know you're a constituent. Then, ask them to sponsor the Anne Sullivan Macy Act. You should point them to: www.AFB.org/MacyActfor the full text of the legislation and for an online support petition.You may also find an array of useful supporting materials at a joint AFB and Perkins project published on the web at: www.ECCAdvocacy.orgThank you in advance for taking a few minutes to contact your members of Congress and for helping make others aware of this important advocacy effort. In raising awareness about the Macy Act, you are joining families, professionals and consumers from all across America who are as concerned as you are about the readiness of kids with vision loss for college and career.Named for Helen Keller's beloved teacher, the Anne Sullivan Macy Act would dramatically improve educational results for the more than 100,000 students in America with vision loss, many of whom have additional disabilities. The Macy Act would ensure that these students are properly evaluated and served in light of all their unique learning needs. Without the Anne Sullivan Macy Act, our nation's special education system will remain unable to deliver on its promise of a truly appropriate education for our kids.Thank you for your advocacy for children and youth who are blind or visually impaired.

June 14, 2013 TCB MinutesVice President Fallin called the meeting to order at approximately 6 pm. Everyone introduced themselves and there were 17 total. Board members Allison, Jeri, Jesse, Darla and Bill were present. TCB, with the assistance of Juliet and Paul, provided the food which was pizza. Jean Self provided brownies for dessert.Our speaker, Debbie Ruggles from Tulsa Transit was introduced and she spoke about the upcoming changes concerning lift transportation policies. Everyone appreciated her coming and explaining what can be a confusing but very necessary change in the lift policy.A short meeting was conducted following her presentation.The secretary's minutes were tabled as one was not provided from the last meeting.The treasurer's report was accepted as distributed through email.An update was given concerning the bowlathon tomorrow and everyone was encouraged to come and have fun and donate.Jesse offered the suggestion of going to the fish aquarium on August 3. Cost is $14 per person which includes the tour and lunch. it was suggested to have volunteers to help describe the visual surroundings. It was moved and seconded to accept this idea and plans will be forth coming through email.Vice President Fallin gave an update on Julie Bailey and stated she is recuperating at home after her neck surgery. TCB gave a $25 gift certificate and fluffy purple pillow which Julie thanked the members for their thoughts and gifts.An update was given about the upcoming OCB convention to be held September 20 through 22 at the Marriott hotel in OKC. Details will be coming out on the listserv.Meeting was fairly short and we were reminded we will not be meeting in July because of the national ACB convention.Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:25.Submitted by Jeri CooperSecretary

Thursday, June 13, 2013

We need sidewalks and crosswalks, and we need to maintain them. This should be required in any metropolitan area where people can walk to their destinations.When your community does not have sidewalks or have sidewalks that are damaged, the children, elderly, blind and those confined to wheel chairs are forced to use the street to get to school, a store, a post office, a library, their work, or to a bus stop to catch the Lift.Is this what you want for YOUR mom, dad, grandmother, or child:

Photo of man in wheelchair riding in the
street with cars on the road around him.
From Vimeo

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Hello everyone,In Julie's absence, I'll be conducting the meeting on Friday, June 14th. The meeting will be held at West Tulsa Freewill Baptist Church 930 W. 23rd Place, in the Family Life Center.

The meeting will begin at 6. James Collins of Tulsa Transit will be discussing some new policy changes for the Lift which are scheduled to take effect in August. You won't want to miss hearing about those. We'll have a question and answer period, butyour questions should only deal with the policy changes, not complaints about service or former trips.

Of course we'll have our usual business meeting.

If you plan on eating, please try to be there by 5:30. We'll be having pizza, beverage and dessert. Please let Darla know if you plan on eating, so there'll be enough pizza.See you next week.

Allison FallinPS: Julie is doing well but her throat is very sore. She may be home by June 8th. Keep her and David in your prayers.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Yesterday, our TCB member, Marion McFadden, did a taped interview with K. C. Lupp, a host of the daily TV program Great Day Green Country. The interview will be shown next Tuesday, June 11, sometime between 10 and 11 a. m. on Fox 23. Three factors triggered this interview. He is legally blind, 77 years old, and has self-published a book. This was set up through Carol Carter, Public Relations & Community Affairs Coordinator, at Life Senior Services. They told him it will be a 2 to 4 minute segment. They filmed him using ZoomText and a CCTV. His book, Welcome Back, Jimmy, is available at The Book Place, 732 W. New Orleans, Broken Arrow (101st & Elm), and he will have a book signing there on June 29th from 2 to 4 p.m.